DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 9, 2 March 1899, Page 4

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

(From our own correspondent.) February 24. The Very Rev. Dr. Egan, 0.8.8., has been transferred to the charge of the Sacred Heart Church, Punaonby, and the Rev. Father Gillan from there to St. Benedict's, Nekton. The Very Rev. Father Hackett of Paeroa has been in town upon a business visit during the week. I am very grateful to the Rev. Father Golden of Patea for his correction concerning the Very Rev. Dean O'Reilly. His eulogium of the Dean is well merited. The Hibernian Society's annual dist> id meeting was held and concluded on the evening of the 15th inst. The district funeral fund now Btands at £3891 3s 4d. The funeral claims for the half year amounted to £110, and the net increase for the same period was £132 12s lOd. The sum of £2050 has been invested locally at 5 per cent in good freehold security. Application was made from Stratford to start a new branch of the society. The motion moved by the Charleston branch bearing upon the fees paid by branches to their medical attendants was defeated by a large majority. A vote of condolence, moved by the Christchurch delegate, regarding the death of the Very Rev. Father Cummings, S.M., was unanimously carried. The following officers were elected for the ensuing term : District president, Bro. John Patterson, J.P. ; district vice-president, Bro. Daniel O'Sullivan ; district secretary, Bro. William Kane ; district treasurer, Bro. M. J. Sheahan, J.P. ; auditors, Bros. D*. O'Sullivan and J. B Stead. The officers were installed by Past District President Bro. P. J. Nerheny, who addressed the officers in suitaole terms of congratulation, to which they in like manner replied. A motion, moved by Bro. W. Beehan, that no delegate be sent from the New Zealand district to the forthcoming annual meeting in Melbourne was carried. The mover thought it of more advantage to reserve the money for the movable district meetings in our own Colony. The district president urged the meeting strongly to send a delegate to Melbourne, as this next meeting, in consequence of the revision of the laws, was of vital interest to the Society as a whole. The Right Rev. Dr. Lenihai and Rev. Father Croke attended the H A.C.B. district meeting. His Lordship addressed the meeting and highly eulogised the Society and the good work it was doing. The Archbishop and Bishops lately assembled at Wellington had determined to assist, in every way possible, the Hibernian Society. He would ask the delegates present to convey to their respective branches the very high regard in which he held the Society. anl to the Auckland branch he returned his sincere thanks for their success in working for the churches during the last three St. Patrick's Day celebrations. The Bishop was applauded upon resuming his seat and again when leaving the hall. It was a very high mark of respect shown to the Society generally by the Bishop, and was highly appreciated by the the D.P. and members present. Sir George Grey's memorial demonstration of Saturday last was in every way a success, excepting in the most important matter of all— the financial part of it. The trite old saying, ' when you touch a man's pocket you touch his heart ' was verified to the letter. The populace put on their best clothes and demonstrated in honour of their city's benefactor, but they kept a tight grip of their purses. His Lordship Dr. Lenihan was to hare tpoken in the Domain, but owing to the death of Father Luck that morning he could not attend, and sent a written apology. Ray. Father Henneberry, of Hobart, and a relative of the famouß missioner, came from America by the last 'Frisco mail boat. He preached last Sunday evening at the Catheiral, giving a graphio' account of his travels around the world, and the growth of the Church in every land. A novena to St. Patrick is about to be commenced by Father Croke at St. Patrick's.